A comparative study of functional outcome following the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with and without subacromial decompression in type 1 acromion patients: A prospective study

Abstract

Objectives: A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of pain and disability among adults. People who do repetitive lifting or overhead activities like painters, carpenters, etc., and athletes like tennis players and baseball pitchers are particularly at risk for rotator cuff tears. Though subacromial impingement is more common in patients with Type III (Hooked) acromion than Type I (Flat) acromion but our study was to evaluate any significant difference in patients treated with subacromial decompression to those who are treated without decompression in Type 1 acromion patients. Materials and methods: A prospective study of 30 patients with rotator cuff tears were divided into 2 groups i.e., Group 1 consisting of 15 patients and are treated with subacromial decompression and Group 2 consisting of another 15 patients who are treated by without subacromial decompression at SGITO, Bengaluru from November 2017 to June 2019. Clinical / Functional assessment was done using ASES, QUICK DASH and ROWE soring systems and patients was followed at regular intervals of 1, 3 & 6 months & 1-year post-op. Results: Our study showed predominant male population (60%), traumatic etiology (66.7%) and partial thickness tears (56.7%). At the end of 1 year follow up, Ases, Rowe & Quick Dash Scores was (90.33%), (92.33%) & (10.78%) respectively who are treated by acromioplasty and (90.41%), (91.67%) & (11.83%) respectively who are treated by non-acromioplasty. The mean time for improvement in symptoms in both groups are about 6 months. Conclusion: Our study concludes, that there was no significant statistical difference and clinical or functional outcome in both the study groups in terms of pain, muscle strength, range of movements except for flexion wherein statistical difference was found however there was no significant difference in functional / clinical outcome. Also, our study concludes that Age, Sex, Etiology of tear and Type of tear was not found to be a significant factor which affects the clinical/functional outcome.